Acetylene lamp and generator.



F. E. BALDWIN.

AGBTYLBNB LAMP AND GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1910.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

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@FFIQ FREDERIC E. BALDWIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ACETYLENE LAMP AND GENERATOR.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FnnDniuo E. BALD- wix, a citizen of the United States, residing` at New York, countv of Richmond, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene Lamps and Generators, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to acetylene lamps and generators, reference being had t-o the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a central vertical section through a lamp embodying the invention, and Fig. 2 a detail illustrating the means for attaching the co-ver to the gastube.

A is a water tank, to the bottom of which is attached a cleaning rod B.

C is the carbid container having a gas outlet D.

In the bottom of the containerl C is fastened a tube E, terminating at its lower end in a flaring mouth F. The tube E which surrounds the rod is slightly larger than rod B, so that only the required amount of water can pass up the tube and enter the carbid container. On top of the water tank A is placed a cover G having a tube or collar II, closely fitting gas outlet D, otherwise excess gas escaping between the collar and the outlet might ignite and by flashing back cause an explosion in the water tank A when the container is agitated. The cover G may be securely fastened by any suitable lock.

I have found it desirable in many cases to provide additional means for maintaining a steady flame for a long time. This may be done by means of an auxiliary water tank C, attached to or depending from the cover G, and having a water filler cap S with a water outlet R. In the water tank is placed an air inlet pipe T extending to the top of the water tank. By filling the water tank A with water so that it just covers the air inlet pipe T, no air can enter into the water supply C, and therefore no water can run out. It will be understood, of course, that the auxiliary tank is hermetically sealed except for the inlet pipe.

As soon as the carbid in container C has used up sufficient water to uncover the air inlet pipe T, the air will enter into the water tank C, allowingthe water to run out through the vent B. This continues until the water level in the water tank A has Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 3, 1910.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Serial No. 559,071.

again closed the orifice of the air inlet pipe T, which at once causes the water to cease running out of the water tank C. In this manner, a constant water level is always maintained in the water tank A, which therefore maintains a constant pressure of water, resulting in a steady flahe. Where, as in the particular' construction illustrated,

the inlet pipe T opens into the main tank above the bottom of the auxiliary tank, the main tank will be filled up to and slightly above the bottom of the auxiliary tank. This construction has the advantage that there is no place for the gas to collect in case, due to excessive gas generation, gas is forced back through the pipe E and into the tank A. There is, therefore, no liability of explosion due to a collection of gas in the lamp. Surrounding the rod B at the bottom I place a resilient gasket L of suflicient size to close the opening of the water tube E, and on the gas outlet D I place a stud M. In the collar I-I I place a bayonet slot N, Fig. 2, in which the stud M looks. The carbid is placed in the container C and a suitable amount of water placed in the water tank A. The carbid container C is now placed in the water tank A and the rod B inserted in the tube E, such insertion being greatly facilitated by flaring the lower end of tube E, as shown at F. The cover G is fastened in place, and by pressing down on the gas orifice D the gasket L is compressed sufficiently to prevent any water entering the carbid container, and is held in this compressed position by locking stud M in the slot N. The generator can remain thus charged until wanted for use, when by unlocking the stud M and resting it on the top of the collar N the water can freely enter the tube E so long as desired. Tater entering the tube E generates the gas. Duringthis operation the carbid may cake around the orifice of tube E, or sediment may enter the tube E and prevent the flow of water. It is necessary, therefore, to occasionally free this accumulation of dirt so that the water can flow freely, and this is easily accomplished by taking hold of the gas outlet D and slightly raising and lowering the carbid container, whereby rod B breaks up any accumulation of slaked carbid or other obstruction.

Thile the construction illustrated is intended to be used with the auxiliary water tank as described, in certain cases this auxiliary tank may be removed where the advantages of an automatic maintenance of the water level in the tank are not to be utilized. When the auxiliary tank is not employed the cleaning rod B before referred to acts to steady or maintain in a fixed position the carbid container. If the container is not full of carbid it may not be stable in position in the water tank, that is, it may tip or rock out of position, this being specially true if, as is sometimes done, a hose is connected to the gas outlet D.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an acetylene generator, a water tank having a cleaning ro-d or stirrer attached to and projecting upward from the bottom of the same, a movable carbid chamber set into the water tank, a water tube projecting upwardly into the carbid chamber through which the cleaning rod passes, and a gas outlet from the carbid chamber.

2. In an acetylene generator and lamp, the combination of an inclosing receptacle, provided with an upwardly projecting cleaning rod, a carbid chamber set into said inclosing receptacle and provided with a tube up wardly projecting from its bottom and surrounding the said cleaning rod, a gas tube extending upwardly from the said carbid chamber and made integral with the coverthereof, and a water-supply chamber affording an inclosed passage for said gas tube and provided with an outlet into said inclosing receptacle and with means for automatically discharging water thereinto when the level of the water in said receptacle falls below a predetermined level.

B. In an acetylene generator or lamp, the combination of a carbid container having a water tube extending upwardly from the bottom said tube being provided with a flaring orifice at its lower end, and a water tank in which said container is placed, said water tank being provided with a cleaning or stirring rod which is attached to its bottom and which projects through said water tube.

4. In an acetylene generator, the combinatio-n of a carbid container having a water tube extending upwardly from the bottom and having a flaring orifice at its lower end, and a water chamber into which said container is placed, said water chamber being provided with an upwardly extending rod projecting through said orifice and water tube, said rod being attached to the bottom of said wate-r chamber and provided with a resilient gasket upon which said flaring orifice may be seated.

5. In an acetylene generator or lamp, the combinationvof a water tank, a stirring rod attached to and projecting upward from the vbottom of the same, a carbid container in said water tank and provided with a ywater inlet tube extending upward from its bottom through which tube said stirring rod projects, and means upon said stirring rod for controlling said water inlet.

6. In an acetylene generato-r, the combination of a water tank, a carbid chamber and an auxiliary reservoir, said auxiliary reservoir being provided with an air inlet extending from a point n-ear the bottom nearly to the top thereof, and a water outlet so arranged that the water level in the water tank cuts off said air inlet so as to prevent discharge from said auxiliary reservoir, substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene lamp or generator, and in combination, a main water tank, a super imposed auxiliary water tank provided with a water delivery opening leading to the main tank, an air inlet tube for the auxiliary tank, said tube having its mouth located above the bottom of the auxiliary tank and in such position that it will be closed by the water in the main tank when said water has reached a predetermined level, the auxiliary tank being hermetically closed except for said inlet tube, and a carbid container in the main tank, said container being provided with means for admitting water thereto.

8. In an acetylene generator, a water chamber, a carbid chamber, a gas tube connected t0 and projecting upwardly from the carbid chamber, an auxiliary water chamber having a substantially centrally inclosed passage for the gas tube, and means for controllingl the flow of water from said water chambers to the vcarbid chamber by the reciprocation of the latter chamber.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERIC E. BALDWIN.

Vitnesses M. LAwsoN DYER, THoMAs J. BYRNns.

Copies of lthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

